Week 8 Predictions

Finished 11-2 last week. Let's get started on this week's rundown...

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-4) vs Minnesota Vikings (5-2)

Bucs come in off a loss last week to the Saints at home. QB Josh Freeman completed 24 of 42 for 420 yds and 3 TDs with WR Vincent Jackson making 7 receptions for 216 yds and 1 TD. RB Doug Martin rushed for 1 additional TD. Bucs defense is lacking fourth quarter continuity. Vikings come in off a win last week against the Cardinals at home. QB Christian Ponder had his worst game so far this season throwing 2 INTs and just 1TD with Percy Harvin making the lone TD reception. RB Adrian Peterson rushed for 153 yds on 23 carries. Vikes defense stepped up last week and hopefully can continue with that energy. Prediction: Vikings

Washington Redskins (3-4) vs Pittsburgh Steelers (3-3)

Redskins come in off a loss last week to the Giants in New York. QB Robert Griffin III completed 20 of 28 for 258 yds, 2 TDs and 1 INT. RB Alfred Morris rushed for 120 yds though did not score a TD. Redskins defense played well till the 4th quarter which has been their weakness so far. Redskins will be without TE Fred Davis who was loss for the season with a torn left achilles tendon. Steelers come in off a win last week against the Bengals in Cincinnati. QB Ben Roethlisberger completed 27 of 37 for 278 yds 1 TD and 1 INT. RB Jonathan Dwyer rushed for 122 yds on 17 carries but didnt score. Steelers defense is the walking wounded and this has been a struggle for them. Prediction: Steelers

Seattle Seahawks (4-3) vs Detroit Lions (2-4)

Seahawks come in off a loss last week against the 49ers in San Francisco. QB Russell Wilson completed 0 TDs and 1 INT. RB Marshawn Lynch rushed for 103 yds but 0 TDs as well. Seahawks defense high ranked defense is still one of the better ones in the league. Lions come in off a loss last week against the Bears in Chicago. QB Matthew Stafford completed 28 of 46 for 263 yds 1 TD and 1 INT. WR Calvin Johnson and RB Mikel LeShoure have each only scored 1 TD so far this season. Lions defense is better on paper than what they are in reality. Prediction: Seahawks

Carolina Panthers (1-5) vs Chicago Bears (5-1)

Panthers come in off a loss last week against the Cowboys at home. QB Cam Newtom completed 31 of 37 for 233 yds 1 TD and 1 INT. RB DeAngelo Williams was ineffective so RB Jonathan Stewart will get the start this week. Panthers defense need the offense to score more to avoid being on the field so long. Bears come in off a win last week against the Lions at home. QB Jay Cutler completed 16 of 31 for 150 yds and 1 TD with WR Brandon Marshall receiving the lone TD. RB Matt Forte has still only rushed for 1 TD so they will need more production out of their running game. Bears still have a top ranked defense. Prediction: Bears

Atlanta Falcons (6-0) vs Philadelphia Eagles (3-3)

Falcons come in off a bye last week. QB Matt Ryan has thrown for over 1756 yds 14 TDs and 6 INTs so far this season. RB Michael Turner has just 357 yds and 3 TDs to date so they need to get their running game going. Falcons have a top 4 ranked defense which has been effective in keeping them winning. Eagles come in off a bye last week. QB Michael Vick has thrown for 1632 yds 8 TDs and 8 INTs. RB LeSean McCoy has rushed for 459 yds and just 1 TD so they are desperate need of an effective running game. Eagles defense are mired in mediocrity. Prediction: Falcons

New England Patriots (4-3) vs St. Louis Rams (3-4)

Patriots come in off a win last week against the Jets at home. QB Tom Brady completed 26 of 42 for 259 yds and 2 TDs with TE Rob Gronkowski receiving both of them. RB Stevan Ridley was held in check last week but should find the end zone today. Patriots defense has stumbled a bit lately but are still pretty good. Rams come in off a loss last week to the Packers at home. QB Sam Bradford completed 21 of 34 for 255 yds 1 TD and 1 INT. RB Steven Jackson had his 1st rushing TD last week. Rams defense has some inconsistencies but this is partially to blame on their offense. Prediction: Patriots

Indianapolis Colts (3-3) vs Tennessee Titans (3-4)

Colts come in off a win last week against the Browns at home. QB Andrew Luck completed 16 of 29 for 186 yds and rushed for 2 TDs. RB Donald Brown has still only scored 1 TD so far this season. Colts defense is subpar which is proving very detrimental. Titans come in off a win last week against the Bills in Buffalo. QB Matt Hasselbeck completed 22 of 33 for 205 yds and 1 TD. RB Chris Johnson rushed for 195 yds on 18 carries and 2 TDs. Titans defense had a good game last week and need to continue playing that well. Prediction: Titans

San Diego Chargers (3-3) vs Cleveland Browns (1-6)

Chargers come in off a bye last week. QB Philip Rivers has passed for 1492 yds 10 TDs and 9 INTs. RB Ryan Matthews has rushed for 259 yds and just 1 TD. Chargers defense is not playing up to their full potential this season. Browns come in off a loss last week to the Colts in Indianapolis. QB Brandon Weeden completed 25 of 41 for 264 yds and 2 TDs with WR Josh Gordon receiving 1 of them. RB Trent Richardson was a nonfactor in the game so will need big numbers this week. Browns have a horrendous and badly banged up defense. Prediction: Chargers

Miami Dolphins (3-3) vs New York Jets (3-4)

Dolphins come in off a win last week against the Rams at home. RB Ryan Tannehill completed 21 of 29 for 185 yds and 2 TDs. RB Reggie Bush was not a factor and neither was the Dolphins lackluster defense. Jets come in off a loss last week against the Patriots in New England. QB Mark Sanchez completed 28 of 41 for 328 yds 1 TD and 1 INT. RB Shonn Greene rushed for 1 additional TD. Jets have suffered some major injuries on both sides of the ball and have struggled severely since. Prediction: Jets

Jacksonville Jaguars (1-5) vs Green Bay Packers (4-3)

Jaguars come in off a loss last week against the Raiders in Oakland. QB Blaine Gabbert completed 8 of 12 for 110 yds and 1 TD with WR Cecil Shorts receiving the lone TD. RB Maurice Jones Drew was injured last week and will be out this week. Jags have a terrible defense. Packers come in off a win last week against the Rams in St. Louis. QB Aaron Rodgers completed 30 of 37 for 342 yds and 3 TDs with WR Jordy Nelson receiving 1 of them. RB Cedric Benson has still only scored 1 TD. Packers have an effective defense but struggles in their tough division. Prediction: Packers

Oakland Raiders (2-4) Kansas City Chiefs (1-5)

Raiders come in off a win last week against the Jaguars at home. QB Carson Palmer completed 26 of 46 for 298 yds 1 TD and 1 INT. RB Darren McFadden was held under 55 yds rushing last week so needs a good game. Raiders have a terrible defense in a bad division. Chiefs come in off a bye last week. QB Matt Cassel has thrown for 1150 yds 5 TDs and 9 INTs.  RB Jamaal Charles has rushed for 591 yds and 2 TDs. Chiefs have 1 of the worst defenses in the league. Prediction: Raiders

New York Giants (5-2) vs Dallas Cowboys (3-3)

Giants come in off a win last week against the Redskins at home. QB Eli Manning completed 26 of 40 for 337 yds for 1 TD and 2 INTs with WR Victor Cruz receiving the 1 TD. RB Ahmad Bradshaw rushed for 1 additional TD. Giants have a solid defense. Cowboys come in off a win last week against the Panthers in Carolina. QB Tony Romo completed 24 of 34 for 227 yds and 1 TD with WR Miles Austin receiving the TD. Cowboys have suffered injuries in their running game and defense which has been a major factor in their losses. Prediction: Giants

New Orleans Saints (2-4) vs Denver Broncos (3-3)

Saints come in off a win last week against the Bucs in Tampa Bay. QB Drew Brees completed 27 of 37 for 377 yds 4 TDs and 1 INT with WR Marques Colston receiving 1 of the TDs. RB Pierre Thomas rushed for 1 additional TD. Saints have struggled badly on defense. Broncos come in off a bye last week. QB Peyton Manning has passed for 1808 yds 14 TDs and 4 INTs. RB Willis McGahee has rushed for 432 yds and 3 TDs. Broncos defense is decent but makes many mental mistakes. Prediction: Saints

San Francisco 49ers (5-2) vs Arizona Cardinals (4-3)

49ers come in off a win against the Seahawks at home. QB Alex Smith completed 14 of 23 for 140 yds 1 TD and 1 INT. RB Frank Gore didnt score last week but has been effective in the ground game. 49ers have a high powered defense. Cardinals come in off a loss last week against the Vikings in Minnesota. QB Kevin Kolb was injured last week and will be starting QB John Skelton. Cardinals have struggled in their running game and defense. Prediction: 49ers